Occasionally we get a chance to do product reviews and tell you about some great services here at FrugalFloridaFun.com. Recently we actually got a chance to checkout a product before it hits the mass market! We were lucky enough to meet up with Greg, the founder and owner of 30 Seconds To Camp. We were really impressed with a unique camping concept referred to as a micro coach or POD by his company 30 Seconds To Camp.

So what exactly is a POD? Well 30 Seconds To Camp is more than just a company name, it’s a very accurate description of their product! It literally just takes 30 seconds to deploy a 30 Seconds To Camp POD. Just drop the four legs down from the hitch mounted pod and open up the back hatch. In less than 30 seconds you are ready to camp.

Greg’s invention of the micro coach POD came to him when he was looking for a frugal way to go camping without all the hassle that comes with owning a camper, RV, or even traditional tent camping. He knew there must be a better way. After many sleepless nights, and countless napkin sketches, he was able to bring his 30 Seconds to Camp POD design to life. With the sheer determination he was able to go from a napkin sketch, to a cardboard model, all the way to a full-sized prototype. With a style that brings to mind the tear drop trailers of the 50’s, this small enclosure just slips into your hitch and you’re ready to go. Coming in at under 250 pounds, unique camping concept can really draw a crowd. In fact while chatting with Greg, people were getting out of their cars, and asking for more information. Luckily he came prepared with lots of business cards!

There are quite a few advantages to owning a POD by 30 seconds to camp over a traditional trailer. For starters, you don’t need to register your new POD because it’s technically not a camper. Since there is no axle, all you need to do is move your license plate to the back. Overall, that’s probably the most difficult part of heading out on the open road. Other than finding a great camping spot of course. In addition to annual savings with no registration, the weight, shape, and configuration have not caused any noticeable differences when it comes to fuel economy. In fact, your new POD by 30 Seconds To Camp, should never exceed 300 lbs for safety reasons. This helps reduce your gas consumption and makes it easier to lug around.

Have you ever towed a camper, boat or trailer? Bringing along a POB by 30 Seconds to Camp couldn’t be easier. Since there is no pivot point for towing, you simply back up your vehicle as usual. We have a cargo carrier we take with us on adventures all the time, and it sticks out about the same distance as the POD does! When you get home, just back your vehicle into the garage, drop the legs, and pull your vehicle out. The POD itself has a very small form factor, and is intended to be stored inside. Like a camper or trailer, you can store it outside, but you’ll get many more years of service from your POD if you keep it inside. You can even purchase a four-wheeled dolly from 30 Seconds To Camp if you want to make it easier to move around your garage.

Speaking of inside, when the POD by 30 Seconds To Camp is opened, you simply open the hatch on the driver’s side and hop in! Inside you’ll find an area big enough to accommodate a full-sized tri fold bed. You could also use an air mattress if you would like. I’m a pretty big guy, and when I climbed in, I thought it felt spacious and sturdy. Despite having 4 adjustable legs, it is recommended that you keep it attached to your vehicle for sleeping. The demo unit didn’t have a window on the passenger side, but I’m told the production units will have a window to add a nice cross breeze. The fabric part of the POD is a heavy-duty material that is water-resistant, and is attached to the POD by heavy-duty velcro. This is a great feature if you ever want to change out the fabric. On the passenger side, you’ll find a power pass through which powers the LED lights that are installed along the header of the POD. Currently the only electrical connection to your vehicle is to power the brake lights and turn signals.

While chatting with Greg, I’m told that production slated to start within the next 60 days at a local Deland facility. The POD by 30 Seconds To Camp is an american designed and manufactured product, by a family run company. The price point hasn’t been locked in yet, but the anticipated targeted price is estimated to be around $2695. Greg also mentioned that there is a fair amount of customization that can be done including lighting options, canvas materials, and even air conditioning! By design, the weight needs to be under 300 pounds, but 30 Seconds To Camp would be happy to entertain customer driven options and special requests.

After spending a good deal of the morning with Greg, seeing the product in action, and seeing other reactions, I think he is definitely on to something here! The POD by 30 Seconds To Camp is certainly a unique option for those that just want to pack up and go and have a hassle free camping experience. Anyone from a camping novice to a scout master can quickly attached, deploy, and pack up a POD without issue. As we head into the prime camping season here in Florida as it gets cooler, we think their mantra of “Camp More. Stress Less.” will have lots of folks trying out the great new way to camp. We can’t wait to see more of these PODS on the road!